The mighty white wolf saw no problem with having a powerful servant, even if a part of it felt that something was off with the black cat. It did not dwell on the matter, and so the wolf gained a servant with unknown loyalties. The cat faithfully brought at least two nascent realm victims to the wolf each day. Once it had its cultivation materials, the wolf paid no mind to what the cat did.
For two years, the white wolf lived inside its den, only venturing out for brief moments. During this time, it cultivated intensely. It spent two months in the Bone-Forging realm, stopping only when its skeleton could not be strengthened any further. It then cultivated in the Blood Purification stage until its blood was the brightest red. Next came the Muscle Strengthening stage. By the time it finished, the wolf's body had increased in size, becoming a lean and muscular physique that radiated immense power.
Afterward, the wolf began the Flesh Refining realm, followed by the Meridian Opening realm, ensuring all its meridians were opened before moving to the sixth stage, the Organ Refinement realm. With its foundation as stable as a mountain, the wolf ended its closed cultivation and stepped out of the den.
At first, nothing seemed out of place, except for the black cat standing there, its eyes gleaming with a malicious glint. The wolf paid it little attention, knowing the cat wasn't strong enough to pose a threat. But suddenly, the cat attacked with lightning speed, sending the wolf flying back into the den. The wolf collided with the inner walls of the small mountain, causing it to shake as rocks rolled down its slope.
The wolf emerged from the den to see the cat grinning, pleased with its attack. The wolf, however, was livid. Its own servant had attacked it, and worse, had drawn blood. The wolf had wounds from the cat's claws in its side. The wolf had always known the cat would rebel the moment it felt it was strong enough, but it had not expected the cat to improve its cultivation so quickly. The cat had broken through to the peak of the Nascent realm, which was equivalent to the peak of the early Origin Realm of the human path.
Despite its surprise, the wolf's anger was too great. It lunged at the cat, and the two began their fight to determine master and servant. The cat was physically weaker but more agile, its reflexes superior and its claws sharper. The wolf simply used its powerful body to face the cat. The trees surrounding the den were shattered into splinters, and the small mountain was on the brink of collapse.
Meanwhile, deep in the Shen mountain range, an illusory figure floated above a sleeping, scrawny man. This man was, surprisingly, the former first prince of the Tinding Kingdom. He had been killed by the white wolf with a single bite that ripped off his head, but now his head was back in place, and he seemed to be breathing without a problem.
"Did I do something wrong? Why hasn't he woken up for two whole years? Do I really need to struggle for another five thousand years looking for a compatible disciple?" the illusory figure muttered to itself, creating an eerie atmosphere in the cave.
As the figure pondered what to do, the first prince, Tinding Mu, opened his eyes. When he saw the ghostly figure, he quickly fell to his knees and prostrated himself.
"This unworthy disciple thanks master for your saving grace," Tinding Mu said in a hoarse voice.
The figure snorted as it looked down at the prince. "Now that your family is dead, nothing should stop you from following me back to our Nine Demon Sect," the ghostly figure said with displeasure.
The prince hesitated for a moment before finally accepting. His master noticed the hesitation but couldn't care less.